Survey of simple sequence repeats in completed fungal genomes

The use of simple sequence repeats or microsatellites as genetic markers has become very popular because of their abundance and length variation between different individuals. SSRs are tandem repeat units of 1 to 6 base pairs that are found abundantly in many prokaryotic and eukaryotic genomes. This is the first study examining and comparing SSRs in completely sequenced fungal genomes. We analyzed and compared the occurrences, relative abundance, relative density, most common, and longest SSRs in nine taxonomically different fungal species: Aspergillus nidulans, Cryptococcus neoformans, Encephalitozoon cuniculi, Fusarium graminearum, Magnaporthe grisea, Neurospora crassa, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, and Ustilago maydis. Our analysis revealed that, in all of the genomes studied, the occurrence, abundance, and relative density of SSRs varied and was not influenced by the genome sizes. No correlation between relative abundance and the genome sizes was observed, but it was shown that N. crassa, the largest genome analyzed had the highest relative abundance of SSRs. In most genomes, mononucleotide, dinucleotide, and trinucleotide repeats were more abundant than the longer repeated SSRs. Generally, in each organism, the occurrence, relative abundance, and relative density of SSRs decreased as the repeat unit increased. Furthermore, each organism had its own common and longest SSRs. Our analysis showed that the relative abundance of SSRs in fungi is low compared with the human genome and that longer SSRs in fungi are rare. In addition to providing new information concerning the abundance of SSRs for each of these fungi, the results provide a general source of molecular markers that could be useful for a variety of applications such as population genetics and strain identification of fungal organisms.     

Motor neuropathy‐associated mutation impairs Seipin functions in neurotransmission

Gain‐of‐toxic‐function mutations in Seipin (Asparagine 88 to Serine (N88S) and Serine 90 to Leucine (S90L) mutations, both of which disrupt the N‐glycosylation) cause autosomal dominant motor neuron diseases. However, the mechanism of how these missense mutations lead to motor neuropathy is unclear. Here, we analyze the impact of disruption of N‐glycosylation of Seipin on synaptic transmission by over‐expressing mutant Seipin in cultured cortical neurons via lentiviral infection. Immunostaining shows that over‐expressed Seipin is partly colocalized with synaptic vesicle marker synaptophysin. Electrophysiological recordings reveal that the Seipin mutation significantly decreases the frequency, but not the amplitudes of miniature excitatory post‐synaptic currents and miniature inhibitory post‐synaptic currents. The amplitude of both evoked excitatory post‐synaptic currents and inhibitory post‐synaptic current is also compromised by mutant Seipin over‐expression. The readily releasable pool and vesicular release probability of synaptic vesicles are both altered in neurons over‐expressing Seipin‐N88S, whereas neither γ‐amino butyric acid (GABA) nor α‐Amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐ isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) induced whole cell currents are affected. Moreover, electron microscopy analysis reveals decreased number of morphologically docked synaptic vesicles in Seipin‐N88S‐expressing neurons. These data demonstrate that Seipin‐N88S mutation impairs synaptic neurotransmission, possibly by regulating the priming and docking of synaptic vesicles at the synapse.

     

Aldosterone induction of hepatic stellate cell contraction through activation of RhoA/ROCK-2 signaling pathway

The RhoA/ROCK-2 signaling pathway is necessary for activated hepatic stellate cell (HSC) contraction. HSC contraction plays an important role in the pathogenesis of cirrhosis and portal hypertension. This study investigated whether aldosterone contributes to HSC contraction by activation of the RhoA/ROCK-2 signaling pathway. Primary HSCs were isolated from Sprague-Dawley rats via in situ pronase/collagenase perfusion. We found that aldosterone enhanced the contraction of a collagen lattice seeded with HSCs. This induced contraction was suppressed by the mineralcorticoid receptor (MR) inhibitor spironolactone, the ROCK-2 inhibitor Y27632, and the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT(1)R) inhibitor irbesartan. Moreover, actin fiber staining showed that aldosterone significantly increased actin fiber formation in HSCs. Pre-incubating with spironolactone, Y27632, or irbesartan inhibited the aldosterone-induced actin fiber reorganization. Molecularly, the effect of aldosterone on activation of HSC contraction was mediated by phosphorylated myosin light chain (P-MLC) through the RhoA/ROCK-2 signaling pathway. All these inhibitors had the ability to block aldosterone-induced protein expressions in the RhoA/ROCK-2/P-MLC cascade in HSCs. Taken together, our current study suggests that aldosterone induces contraction of activated HSCs through the activation of the RhoA/ROCK-2 signaling pathway. This finding may provide a potential therapeutic target for control of cirrhosis and portal hypertension.     

^137Cs,^134Cs在人工海洋小生境中的行为

在自行建立的人工海洋小生境中,采用示踪法综合地研究~(137)Cs、~(134)Cs在人工小生境中的行为。结果表明,~(137)Cs和~(134)Cs具有共同的生理生态行为,并表现出相似的规律、沉积物对~(137)Cs、~(134)Cs的吸附能力甚低,~(137)Cs、~(134)Cs在海洋动物体内趋于全身性的分布。各主要生化物质均能检出~(137)Cs、~(134)Cs。排泄实验后,海洋动物的胃肠、肝(消化腺)~(137)Cs、~(134)Cs损失显著。沉积物表现为解吸-重吸附的过程。     

Electroneuromyographic studies of pain sensitivity

We analyze the published information on the techniques of studies of pain sensitivity using objective electroneuromyographic approaches and the results of these studies. In particular, we describe works where the H reflex, nociceptive flexor and blinking reflexes, and exteroceptive suppression of voluntary muscle activity were examined. Some aspects of using somatosensory evoked potentials in the studies of pain phenomena are also discussed.     

Arylphthalazines as potent,and orally bioavailable inhibitors of VEGFR-2

A series of arylphthalazine derivatives were synthesized and evaluated as antagonists of VEGF receptor II (VEGFR-2). IM-094482 57, which was prepared in two steps from commercially available starting materials, was found to be a potent inhibitor of VEGFR-2 in enzymatic, cellular and mitogenic assays (comparable activity to ZD-6474). Additionally, 57 inhibited the related receptor, VEGF receptor I (VEGFR-1), and showed excellent exposure when dosed orally to female CD-1 mice.     

STAT6 ASODN对哮喘小鼠脾淋巴细胞影响的实验研究

目的研究STAT6反义寡核苷酸对哮喘小鼠脾淋巴细胞的影响作用。方法实验细胞分组:正常鼠空白组(A组)、正常鼠OVA组(B组)、哮喘空白组(C组)、哮喘OVA组(D组)、哮喘治疗组(E组)。正常设计并人工合成一段互补于小鼠STAT6 mRNA翻译起始区271-290的反义寡核苷酸片段,全链硫代修饰。用卵白蛋白和氢氧化铝复制哮喘模型,用淋巴细胞分离液分离脾淋巴细胞,进行体外培养并导入由阳离子脂质体转染剂Geneshuttle携带的反义寡核苷酸,观察反义寡核苷酸的转染对脾淋巴细胞STAT6蛋白表达水平及细胞培养上清中IL-4分泌水平的影响。免疫细胞化学观察脾淋巴细胞中STAT6蛋白的表达水平,同时采用酶联免疫吸附(ELISA)法测定脾细胞培养上清液中IL-4的浓度。结果D组细胞STAT6蛋白表达明显高于其余各组,均具有显著性差异(P均<0.01),STAT6 ASODN转染后,E组细胞该蛋白的表达量明显下降(P<0.01);D组脾淋巴细胞培养上清中IL-4分泌水平明显高于其余各组,均具有显著性差异(P均<0.01);STAT6 ASODN转染后,E组培养上清中IL-4分泌水平显著低于D组(P<0.01)。结论STAT6 ASODN可特异性抑制哮喘鼠脾淋巴细胞中STAT6蛋白的表达,并可特异性抑制脾淋巴细胞中IL-4的分泌,为反义基因技术治疗哮喘提供了依据。     

An eukaryotic translation initiation factor,AteIF5A‐2, affects cadmium accumulation and sensitivity in Arabidopsis

Cadmium (Cd) is one of the most toxic elements and can be accumulated in plants easily; meanwhile, eIF5A is a highly conserved protein in all eukaryotic organisms. The present work tried to investigate whether eIF5A is involved in Cd accumulation and sensitivity in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana L.) by comparing the wild‐type Columbia‐0 (Col‐0) with a knockdown mutant of AteIF5A‐2, fbr12‐3 under Cd stress conditions. The results showed that the mutant fbr12‐3 accumulated more Cd in roots and shoots and had significantly lower chlorophyll content, shorter root length, and smaller biomass, suggesting that downregulation of AteIF5A‐2 makes the mutant more Cd sensitive. Real‐time polymerase chain reaction revealed that the expressions of metal transporters involved in Cd uptake and translocation including IRT1, ZIP1, AtNramp3, and AtHMA4 were significantly increased but the expressions of PCS1 and PCS2 related to Cd detoxification were decreased notably in fbr12‐3 compared with Col‐0. As a result, an increase in MDA and H₂O₂ content but decrease in root trolox, glutathione and proline content under Cd stress was observed, indicating that a severer oxidative stress occurs in the mutant. All these results demonstrated for the first time that AteIF5A influences Cd sensitivity by affecting Cd uptake, accumulation, and detoxification in Arabidopsis.